Starter for internal combustion engines



June 26, 1962 H. o. MAYER STARTER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28. 1958 June 26, 1962 H. o. MAYER 3,040,726

STARTER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28. 1958 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,040,726 STARTER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Helmut O. Mayer, 86 'Swartzel Drive, Middietown, NJ.

Filed Nov. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 776,995

6 Claims. (Cl. 123-185) This invention relates .generally to starters for internal combustion engines, and more particularly relates to novel starters for lawn mowers, outboard engines, and the like.

In accordance with my invention I provide a starter mechanism that is normally spring biased away from the engine, and motivated thereto by foot or hand to establish 'a rotational force to start the engine. A novel lever arrangement is utilized to actuate a helical member which forceably and rapidly grips a clutch body to effect the engine starting. Relatively little effort is expended, and women as well as young persons may readily start a lawn mower, motor boat engine, orthe like, with my novel device hereof. There is no pull away from the device, but a simple push towards it.

A further important advantage of my invention is its safety in use. There is no dangerous recoil, as is involved with pull-cord or hand crank starters. A relatively short stroke by foot or hand is all that is required to operate the invention starter. Only a fractional inch displacement thereof is used to engage and disengage the helix drive member with the engine. When the manual pressure is released, means are provided to directly disengage the' starter drive from the engine, whereby kick-back or recoil is avoided. The invention starter is safer, surer, and easier to use than the prior pull-cord, recoil or crank starters.

The invention starter, further, has less moving or wearing parts than recoil starters. It accordingly has a longer useful life, and no pull cords to break. It is generally less expensive to fabricate, simpler to service and/ or repair. It is far easier to learn to operate the invention starter. Also it starts the engine in less trys or attempts than recoil or crank starters. Its principles are applicable to manual starters, foot or hand, for portable as well as stationary internal combustion engines, for garden tools, for road machines, for boat engines, for stationary power, etc., as will beevident to those skilled in the art.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide a novel starter mechanism for internal combustion engines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel starter of simple, inexpensive construction, with no danger of recoil accidents.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel starter readily operable through relatively short foot or hand strokes.

The invention engine starter is readily adapted to be constructed as an accessory that may be added to the engine device, such as a lawn mower, when desired. In this way the basic engine and the device with which it is incorporated need not contain complex components which render its design unsuitable for non-starter models. As an accessory, the invention starter may be readily added to such a basic device, at a future date, to provide its advantageous starter function.

It is accordingly still another object of the present invention to provide an engine starter adapted to be an accessory unit for ready attachment or removal from the basic device and engine.

The above and other objects of this invention will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a lawn mower incorporating one form of the invention starter.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the starter device of FIG. 1, per se, partially broken away.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the starter, as seen along the line 33 of FIG. 2, in the direction of the arrows.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views through the upper helix bar assembly, taken along the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5, in a displaced relation thereto, for explanatory purposes.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the lower helix bar assembly, taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modified form of starter in accordance with this invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are respective elevational and top views of a form of the invention applied to an outboard engine.

Referring to FIG. 1, the starter unit 15 is shown applied to a conventional rotary blade lawn mower 16. The mower '16 rides on front tires 17, '17, its rear tires and handle not shown for clarity, but understood. The starter unit 15 is detachably mounted to the top of flat housing 18 through bolts 19, 19. The unit 15 is supported on tubular frame 29, 20, with extension plates 21, 21 engaged by bolts 19, 19. The engine 22 is centrally mounted with its rotor shaft extending through the top, to which the lower half of a toothed clutch 23, 24 is secured. A center pin 25 extends from upper clutch half 24 for mating with lower half 23, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and '7.

The drive clutch member 24 is connected to the lower end of a helix bar 26 rotatably mounted in tubular housing 27, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The helix bar 26 has an active continuous helical ridge 28 of rather steep pitch. An exemplary pitch of 2 to 3 turns per foot is satisfactory. The steep pitch facilitates the movement of yoke 30 in its operation and rotation of helix bar 26, to be described. When yoke 30 is motivated downwardly, helix bar 26 is rapidly and forceably rotated with clutch 23, 24, becoming engaged, to start engine 22, in a manner to be set forth in more detail hereinafter.

Further, in accordance with my invention, the helix bar 26 directly and automatically disengages clutch 23, 24, permitting engine 22 to rotate without upsetting the starter mechanism 15. Yoke Si is slidably engaged with helix bar 26 to be described in connection with FIG. 4. A practical length for bar 26 is 6 to 8 inches, although other lengths are feasible. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,

helix bar 26 is actuated when foot pedal 31 is pressed downwardly, in the direction of arrow a. Pedal 31 has a rubber foot pad 32. Pedal 31 extends from an L-shaped member 33, '34 to yoke 30. A cork or rubber grip handle 35 subtends horizontal bar 34, for carrying the assembled mower 16 and starter 15.

The rod 33 is hollow and contain-s a compression spring 36. Rod 33 nests in tubular member 37 secured on one side to frame 26 The spring 36 extends through tube 37 and its lower end rests against the closed base 38 of the tube 37 A longitudinal slot 39 on the outside of tube 37 of width narrower than the diameter of spring 36. Thus compression spring 36 is fully contained within slidable tubes 33, 3-7 when pedal 31 and tube 33 are motivated in their downward stroke. A portion of rod 33 extends through slot 39', as seen clearly in FIG. 2, and nests with the interior of tube 37 in the rods 33 movements therewithin. Slotted tube 37 serves as a guide and bearing for rod 33, directing pedal 31 and rod 33 downwardly and back, in a predetermined path.

A stroke for pedal 31, suitable for unit 15 is advantageously 5 to 7 inches. Spring 36 extends between the base 38 of tube 37 up through rod 36 tocross-bar 34 at end region 40. When pedal 31 and rod 33- are pressed to the lowest position, spring 36 is compressed. When pedal 31 is released, spring 36 directly returns tube 33 with pedal 1 to their upper position (illustrated). The cross-bar 34 and yoke 30 are thereupon returned to their uppermost position, in readiness for another cycle of starter action on engine 22.

across steel balls 44, 44. The steel balls 44,44, with -minor greasing, smoothly translate the vertical displacements of yoke 30 into rotation of helix bar 26, as will now be understood. Pin engagement from extensions 30', 30 or equivalent other means may be used instead of balls 44, 44.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views through the yoke 30-he1ix-bar 26 showing their correlation at the upper end of the bar 26. FIG. 5 represents the neutral orend-of-cycle position or relation. The cross-bar 34 is biased and held in its uppermost position by the extended condition of spring 36. Yoke 30 thereupon abuts a pin 45 set into and extending from a predetermined location along the side of helix bar 26. A yoke extension 30' Y :presses against pin 45, carrying helix bar 26 in the direction of arrow 12, to rest in'its uppermost position in housing 27. An axial projection 46. of bar 26 nests in cylin- .drical extension 47 of cap 48. Cap 48 is threadabiy engaged at 49 with the top open end of housing 27.

When the pedal 31 is initially pressed downwardly, the yoke 30 moves in the direction of arrow c of FIG. 6. Yoke extension 30 no longer abuts pin 45, whereupon helix bar 26 drops downwardly in the direction of arrow 0. Helix bar 26 is arranged to move downwardly about A" to 241" in the exemplary starters in order to engage Y vclutch'23, 24 between helix bar 26 and engine 22. The

downward movement of yoke 30 during the pedal actua- .tion inthe starting cycle drives helix bar 26 as set forth hereinabove to rapidly rotate the engine for its starting.

Helix bar 26 is rotatably supported stably for this drive action within housing 27, byits positive coaction with yoke 30, between clutch member 23 and extension .post 46 in next 47, and together with a bushing 50 welded or brazed to its lower end. Bushing St) is dimensioned to snugly fit within housing 27, and serve as a bearing for helix bar 27, as shown in FIG. 7. Bushing 50 rides up and down in housing 27 for the engagement and disengagement of clutch 23, 24. This mechanical play of about fif' to /s may be made more or less, dependent upon the bite of the teeth 51, 52 of clutch members 23, 24. The axial extension 25 from helix bar 26 extends beyond the clutch member 24 for guidance and alignment with a cavity 25 in mating clutch member 23. Clutch member 23 is shown secured to the shaft 53 of the engine 22.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further form which the engine starter of my invention may take. The tubular frame 60, :has extension 61 for attachment to the engine device, as a'lawn mower. The central slotted housing 62 contains a helix bar 63 which is basically the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 7. At the "bottom of bar 63 is a drive clutch member 64 and a centering extension 65. The. yoke 66 is engaged to drive the steep-helix bar 63 through a bushing 67 in engagement with the helix bar and pins 68 extending from either side of yoke 66 to .bushing 67. Yoke 66 is attached to L-shaped bar 70 by bolts 71. A pedal 72 extends from bar 70, with a foot pad 73 thereon. The vertical portion of L-bar 70 is guided within sleeve 74,'the left side of which is slotted to accommodate the pedal 72 extension.

A spring 75 external of the unit, accomplishes the function and operation of the enclosed compression spring 36 of starter 15. Oneend of spring 75 is tied to a stationary clip 76 centrally of frame 60. The other end of spring 75 is connected to a'lug 77 at yoke66,

be returned to the neutral (upper) position.

located on the opposite side .of housing 62. The spring 75 rides across a groove 78 at the top of housing 62, and is held stably in position thereby. As L-bar 70 operates up-and-down as shown by .arrows of spring 75 extends, and contracts back to the neutral position illustrated. Downward pressure alongjdirection e on pedal 72 moves yoke 66downward to rapidly rotate helix bar 62 and drive clutch 64 into engagement with its mating member (not shown) on the engine. When pedal 72 is released, spring 75 contracts to move yoke 66 back to neutral, carrying helix bar 62 and clutch member 64 out of engagement.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a form of my invention starter usedfor an outboard motor 30. The engine is housed in unit 80 with an extension 81 containing an end of theengine shaft system for engagement through a clutch with the drive end of helix bar 82. The housing 83 rotatably supports the bar 82 in the manner of starter 15 hereinabove. Housing 83 is attached to eX- tension 81 through a flange 84 andbolts 85. A removable cap 86 is set on housing 83. Actuation of helix bar 82 is accomplished through two sleeve members 87, 87 slidable along double lever .88. A pin 89 extends from each sleeve 87 to a bushing or other suitable means of drive engagement with helix. bar 82.

Double lever 88 is pivoted at 90 on extension 91 at housing 92. A compression spring 93 is reposed in housing 92. A second set of sleeve members 94, 94 ride on lever 88, with a pin 95 extending to the top of spring 93. A hand grip 96 extends from the remote end of lever :88. When handle 96 is moved downwardly along the direction of arrows f, the sleeves 87, 87 are moved downwards to drive helix bar 82 and effect its engagement across the clutch (not shown) to operate the engine 80 in starting. Sleeves 37, 87 ride along double lever 88 as it moves to the lowest position, indicated at 88' in dotted lines. Engagement between sleeves 87, 87 drives helixbar 82 in the manner described in connection with bar 26 hereinabove. Spring 93 becomes compressed, and release of pressure on handle 96 causes the lever 88 to One or two short strokes by hand can thus start engine 89 in most cases. It is a direct, safe and ready means of starting.

Although} have shown several embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that modifications may bemade therein and in its utilization without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, except as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described for starting, an internal combustion engine having a starter shaft extending therefrom comprising a bar having a groove thereon of helical form along the bar, structure for rotatably supporting said ba-r coaxially with and adjacent to said starter shaft, a drive clutch with two opposed en gageable members that are respectively secured to the adjacentends of said bar and shaft, an element engaged said element for longitudinally motivating the element along the bar to rotate said bar, the mechanism motivated element effecting concurrent displacement of the rotating bar towards the clutch to directly establish and maintain engagement of said clutch members and thereby effectively start-up said engine through its said shaft.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said structure maintains the rotatable support of said helix bar throughout its said displacement positions.

3. A mobile device-comprising a frame; an internal combustion engine supported in said frame, a starter shaft extending from said engine, a bar having a groove thereon of helical form along the bar, structure rotatably supporting said bar coaxially with and adjacent to said starter shaft, a drive clutch with two opposed engageable members that are respectively secured to the adjacent ends of said bar and shaft, an element engaged with the bar for rotating said bar upon displacement of said element longitudinally along-said bar, spring means arranged. to bias said element into its position on said bar remote from the clutch end, means on said bar for abutting said element when in said remote positions to thereby hold said bar longitudinally displaced to maintain said clutch members in disengagement, manually displaceable mechanism supported on said frame and connected to said element for longitudinally motivating the element along the bar to' rotate said bar and concurrently displace the bar to establish engagement of said clutch members and thereby effectively start-up said engine through its said shaft, and a guide extending from said frame substantially parallel to said helix bar and engaged with a portion of said mechanism to maintain the longitudinal excursions of said element.

4. A mobile device as claimed in claim 3, in which the said guide and mechanism portion are tubular and contain said spring means under compression therewithin.

5. A mobile device as claimed in claim 3, further including a foot pedal extending from said mechanism por- 6 tion for actuating the mechanism and thereby the helix bar to start-up the engine.

6. A mobile device as claimed in claim 3, in which said structure is in the form of a tubular housing about said helix bar with a longitudinal slot for admitting said element therethrough and a yoke extending from said mechanism and about said housing to operate said element along the helix bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,088,548 De Marais Feb. 24, 1914 1,157,761 Clark Oct. 26, 1915 1,178,989 Branson n Apr. 11, 1916 1,181,082 Mefferd Apr. 25, 1916 1,208,115 Eynon Dec. 12, 1916 1,240,332 Frison Sept. 18, 1917 1,256,156 Orr Feb. 12, 1918 1,776,228 Cofiman Sept. 16, 1930 2,585,313 Hart Feb. 12, 1952 2,639,571 Kelly May 26, 1953 2,731,006 Hensel Jan. 17, 1956 2,742,751 Laughlin Apr. 24, 1956 2,841,989 Kreidler et al. July 8, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 558,311 France May 23, 1923 

